Can couples move into a New Zealand care home together?

Although it is more common for one person to be assessed as needing residential care, couples can and do move into a care home together. In fact, some care homes have rooms specifically suited to couples. On Eldernet, you can filter search results by ‘Rooms suitable for a couple’ – find this filter under the ‘Features’ drop down menu on the Eldernet Vacancy Status Report.  

To be eligible for entry into a New Zealand care home as a couple, both individuals need to be assessed as requiring care (read more about the interRAI assessment process here). Couples are responsible for paying for, or contributing, to the care they receive - learn more about how to pay for care. 

In some instances private paying residents, where one has not been assessed as being eligible for care, may be able to be accommodated together by arrangement with the provider. Make enquiries.